Filter cartridge with seal member and methods

ABSTRACT

An air filter cartridge has filter media and a gasket arrangement with a perimeter gasket member against the downstream flow face and a side gasket member adjacent to at least a partial extension of a first side panel. The side gasket member includes no portion against second, third, and fourth side panels of the air filter cartridge. The air filter cartridge can be used in a dust collector having a tubesheet and a frame arrangement extending from the tubesheet. The perimeter gasket member seals against the frame arrangement and the side gasket member seals against the tubesheet.

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S.provisional patent applications 61/251,493 filed Oct. 14, 2009;61/334,665 filed May 14, 2010; and 61/360,659 filed Jul. 1, 2010. Thedisclosures of each of these applications are incorporated herein byreference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure concerns filters for cleaning air, for example, for usein dust collectors and other equipment. In particular, this disclosureconcerns z-filters having a wrap-around seal and dust collectorsutilizing the z-filters and methods.

BACKGROUND

Dust collectors are used to clean particulate matter from air flowstreams. One embodiment of dust collectors includes bag house filters.Bag house filters include a housing, a dirty air inlet, a clean airoutlet, and a tubesheet having a plurality of apertures. The tubesheetseparates the housing between a dirty air side and a clean air side andholds the filter bags. The bags are made of a filter media so that asdirty air flows from the dirty air side to the clean air side, the airmust flow through the bags, and the filter media of the bags preventsparticulate matter from reaching the clean air side.

Another embodiment of dust collectors that is known includes the use offilter cartridges having pleated media in the form of cylinders orovals. The filter cartridges are held by a tubesheet, and the air mustflow through the pleated media of the filter cartridges from the dirtyair side to the clean air side. Improvements in dust collectors aredesirable.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, an air filter cartridge is provided including a mediapack having upstream and downstream opposite flow faces, first andsecond opposite sides extending between the upstream and downstreamopposite flow faces. A first side panel is against the first side of themedia pack. The gasket arrangement has a perimeter gasket member againstthe downstream flow face and around a perimeter of the downstream flowface. The gasket arrangement also includes a side gasket member,integral with the perimeter gasket member, and adjacent to at least apartial extension of the first side panel.

In another aspect, a method of filtering air includes directing dirtyair into an unfiltered air plenum of a housing, the housing having atubesheet and a frame arrangement. Next, there is the step of directingthe dirty air through an upstream side of a media pack of a first airfilter cartridge to remove contaminant from the dirty air and result infiltered air in the filtered air plenum. The media pack has upstream anddownstream opposite flow faces. Next, there is the step of preventingdirty air from bypassing the first air filter cartridge by a gasketarrangement including a perimeter gasket member against the downstreamflow face and around a perimeter of the downstream flow face, theperimeter gasket member being compressed against the frame arrangement.A side gasket member, integral with the perimeter gasket member, andadjacent to at least a partial extension of the first side panel iscompressed against the tubesheet sealing surface.

In another aspect, a gasket for use with a filter cartridge includes afirst gasket segment having a free end and an opposite first end; asecond gasket segment having a free end and an opposite second end; thesecond gasket segment being angled relative to the first gasket segmentat an angle of 20-70°; a ratio of a length of the first gasket segmentto the second gasket segment being between 1-2.5; and an intermediategasket segment joining the first end of the first gasket segment and thesecond end of the second gasket segment. The first gasket segment,second gasket segment, and intermediate gasket segment together definean open filter cartridge-receiving cavity constructed and arranged toreceive a filter cartridge.

It is noted that not all these specific features described herein needto be incorporated in an arrangement for the arrangement to have someselected advantage according to the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, schematic, perspective view of a single facerstrip of z-filter media comprising a flutes sheet secured to a facingsheet;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, schematic, fragmentary view of a single facersheet comprising fluted media secured to the facing media;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of various selected flute shapes;

FIG. 3A is schematic, fragmentary, cross-sectional view of a furtherfluted media configuration in a single facer media pack;

FIG. 3B is a schematic, fragmentary, cross-sectional view of a stillfurther alternate flute definition;

FIG. 3C is a schematic, fragmentary, cross-sectional view of yet anotherflute definition for a media pack;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a process for making single facer mediafor use in a media pack according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a schematic, cross-sectional view of an example of a dartedfluted;

FIG. 6 is a schematic, perspective view of a coiled media constructioncomprising a coiled sheet of single facer media material;

FIG. 7 is a schematic, perspective view of a stacked media construction;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an air filtercartridge utilizing a media pack having a stack of strips of singlefacer filter media, constructed in accordance with principles of thisdisclosure;

FIG. 9 is an exploded, perspective view of the air filter cartridge ofFIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a top view of the air filter cartridge of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the air filter cartridge of FIG. 8,the cross-section being taken along the line 11-11 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12A is an enlarged view of a portion of the cross-section of FIG.11;

FIG. 12B is an enlarged view of a profile of the gasket used with thefilter cartridge of FIGS. 8-11;

FIG. 12C is a perspective view of the gasket of FIG. 12B;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an air filtercartridge having a media pack comprising a stack of strips of singlefacer filter media material, constructed in accordance with principlesof this disclosure;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of a cross-section of a portion of the airfilter cartridge of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is a front view of an embodiment of a dust collector utilizingair filter cartridges of the type shown in FIGS. 8-14, constructed inaccordance with principles of this disclosure;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the dust collector of FIG. 15, thecross-section being taken along the line 16-16 of FIG. 15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION I. Z-Filter Media Configurations, Generally

Fluted filter media can be used to provide fluid filter constructions ina variety of manners. One well known manner is as a z-filterconstruction. The term “z-filter construction” as used herein, is meantto refer to a filter construction in which individual ones ofcorrugated, folded or otherwise formed filter flutes are used to definesets of longitudinal filter flutes for fluid flow through the media; thefluid flowing along the length of the flutes between opposite inlet andoutlet flow ends (or flow faces) of the media.

One type of z-filter media utilizes two specific media components joinedtogether, to form the media construction. The two components are: (1) afluted (typically corrugated) media sheet; and, (2) a facing mediasheet. The facing media sheet is typically non-corrugated, however itcan be corrugated, for example perpendicularly to the flute direction asdescribed in U.S. provisional 60/543,804, filed Feb. 11, 2004,incorporated herein by reference.

The fluted (typically corrugated) media sheet and the facing mediasheet, together, are used to define media having parallel inlet andoutlet flutes; i.e. opposite sides of the fluted sheet operable as inletand outlet flow regions. In some instances, the fluted sheet andnon-fluted sheet are secured together and are then coiled to form az-filter media construction. Such arrangements are described, forexample, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,235,195 and 6,179,890, each of which isincorporated herein by reference. In certain other arrangements, somenon-coiled sections of fluted media secured to flat media, are stackedon one another, to create a filter construction. An example of this isshown herein at FIG. 7.

Typically, coiling of the fluted sheet/facing sheet combination arounditself, to create a coiled media pack, is conducted with the facingsheet directed outwardly. Some techniques for coiling are described inU.S. provisional application 60/467,521, filed May 2, 2003 and PCTApplication US 04/07927, filed Mar. 17, 2004, published Sep. 30, 2004 asWO 2004/082795. The resulting coiled arrangement generally has, as theouter surface of the media pack, a portion of the facing sheet, as aresult. In some instances a protective covering can be provided aroundthe media pack.

The term “corrugated” when used herein to refer to structure in media,is meant to refer to a flute structure resulting from passing the mediabetween two corrugation rollers, i.e., into a nip or bite between tworollers, each of which has surface features appropriate to cause acorrugation affect in the resulting media. The term “corrugation” is notmeant to refer to flutes that are formed by techniques not involvingpassage of media into a bite between corrugation rollers. However, theterm “corrugated” is meant to apply even if the media is furthermodified or deformed after corrugation, for example by the foldingtechniques. Corrugated media is a specific form of fluted media. Flutedmedia is media which has individual flutes (for example formed bycorrugating or folding) extending there across.

Serviceable filter element or filter cartridge configurations utilizingz-filter media are sometimes referred to as “straight through flowconfigurations” or by variants thereof. In general, in this context whatis meant is that the serviceable filter elements generally have an inletflow end (or face) and an opposite exit flow end (or face), with flowentering and exiting the filter cartridge in generally the same straightthrough direction. (The term “straight through flow configuration”disregards, for this definition, any air flow that passes out of themedia pack through the outermost wrap of facing media.) The term“serviceable” in this context is meant to refer to a media containingfilter cartridge that is periodically removed and replaced from acorresponding air cleaner.

A straight through flow configuration (especially for a coiled mediapack) is, for example, in contrast to serviceable filter cartridges suchas cylindrical pleated filter cartridges of the type shown in U.S. Pat.No. 6,039,778, incorporated herein by reference, in which the flowgenerally makes a turn as its passes through the serviceable cartridge.That is, in a U.S. Pat. No. 6,039,778 filter, the flow enters thecylindrical filter cartridge through a cylindrical side, and then turnsto exit through an end face (in forward-flow systems).

The term “z-filter media construction” and variants thereof as usedherein, without more, is meant to refer to any or all of: a web ofcorrugated or otherwise fluted media secured to (facing) media withappropriate sealing to inhibit air flow from one flow face to anotherwithout filtering passage through the filter media; and/or, such a mediacoiled or otherwise constructed or formed into a three dimensionalnetwork of flutes; and/or, a filter construction including such media.In many arrangements, the z-filter media construction is configured forthe formation of a network of inlet and outlet flutes, inlet flutesbeing open at a region adjacent an inlet face and being closed at aregion adjacent an outlet face; and, outlet flutes being closed adjacentan inlet face and being open adjacent an outlet face. However,alternative z-filter media arrangements are possible, see for example US2006/0091084 A1, published May 4, 2006; also comprising flutes extendingbetween opposite flow faces, with a seal arrangement to prevent flow ofunfiltered air through the media pack.

In FIG. 1 herein, an example of media 1 useable in z-filter media isshown. The media 1 is formed from a fluted (corrugated) sheet 3 and afacing sheet 4. Herein, a strip of media comprising fluted sheet securedto facing sheet will sometimes be referred to as a single facer strip,or by similar terms. In general, the corrugated sheet 3, FIG. 1 is of atype generally characterized herein as having a regular, curved, wavepattern of flutes or corrugations 7. The term “wave pattern” in thiscontext, is meant to refer to a flute or corrugated pattern ofalternating troughs 7 b and ridges 7 a. The term “regular” in thiscontext is meant to refer to the fact that the pairs of troughs andridges (7 b, 7 a) alternate with generally the same repeatingcorrugation (or flute) shape and size. (Also, typically in a regularconfiguration each trough 7 b is substantially an inverse of each ridge7 a.) The term “regular” is thus meant to indicate that the corrugation(or flute) pattern comprises troughs and ridges with each pair(comprising an adjacent trough and ridge) repeating, without substantialmodification in size and shape of the corrugations along at least 70% ofthe length of the flutes. The term “substantial” in this context, refersto a modification resulting from a change in the process or form used tocreate the corrugated or fluted sheet, as opposed to minor variationsfrom the fact that the media sheet 3 is flexible. With respect to thecharacterization of a repeating pattern, it is not meant that in anygiven filter construction; an equal number of ridges and troughs arenecessarily present. The media 1 could be terminated, for example,between a pair comprising a ridge and a trough, or partially along apair comprising a ridge and a trough. (For example, in FIG. 1 the media1 depicted in fragmentary has eight complete ridges 7 a and sevencomplete troughs 7 b.) Also, the opposite flute ends (ends of thetroughs and ridges) may vary from one another. Such variations in endsare disregarded in these definitions, unless specifically stated. Thatis, variations in the ends of flutes are intended to be covered by theabove definitions.

In the context of the characterization of a “curved” wave pattern ofcorrugations, the term “curved” is meant to refer to a corrugationpattern that is not the result of a folded or creased shape provided tothe media, but rather the apex 7 a of each ridge and the bottom 7 b ofeach trough is formed along a radiused curve. Although alternatives arepossible, a typical radius for such z-filter media would be at least0.25 mm and typically would be not more than 3 mm.

An additional characteristic of the particular regular, curved, wavepattern depicted in FIG. 1, for the corrugated sheet 3, is that atapproximately a midpoint 30 between each trough and each adjacent ridge,along most of the length of the flutes 7, is located a transition regionwhere the curvature inverts. For example, viewing back side or face 3 a,FIG. 1, trough 7 b is a concave region, and ridge 7 a is a convexregion. Of course when viewed toward front side or face 3 b, trough 7 bof side 3 a forms a ridge; and, ridge 7 a of face 3 a, forms a trough.(In some instances, region 30 can be a straight segment, instead of apoint, with curvature inverting at ends of the segment 30.)

A characteristic of the particular regular, curved, wave patterncorrugated sheet 3 shown in FIG. 1, is that the individual corrugationsare generally straight. By “straight” in this context, it is meant thatthrough at least 70% (typically at least 80%) of the length betweenedges 8 and 9, the ridges 7 a and troughs 7 b do not changesubstantially in cross-section. The term “straight” in reference tocorrugation pattern shown in FIG. 1, in part distinguishes the patternfrom the tapered flutes of corrugated media described in FIG. 1 of WO97/40918 and PCT Publication WO 03/47722, published Jun. 12, 2003. Thetapered flutes of FIG. 1 of WO 97/40918, for example, would be a curvedwave pattern, but not a “regular” pattern, or a pattern of straightflutes, as the terms are used herein.

Referring to the present FIG. 1 and as referenced above, the media 1 hasfirst and second opposite edges 8 and 9. When the media 1 is coiled andformed into a media pack, in general edge 9 will form an inlet end forthe media pack and edge 8 an outlet end, although an oppositeorientation is possible. In the example shown, adjacent edge 8 isprovided sealant, in this instance in the form of a sealant bead 10,sealing the corrugated (fluted) sheet 3 and the facing sheet 4 together.Bead 10 will sometimes be referred to as a “single facer” bead, since itis a bead between the corrugated sheet 3 and facing sheet 4, which formsthe single facer or media strip 1. Sealant bead 10 seals closedindividual flutes 11 adjacent edge 8, to passage of air therefrom.

In the example shown, adjacent edge 9, is provided sealant, in thisinstance in the form of a seal bead 14. Seal bead 14 generally closesflutes 15 to passage of unfiltered fluid therein, adjacent edge 9. Bead14 would typically be applied as the media 1 is coiled about itself,with the corrugated sheet 3 directed to the inside. Thus, bead 14 willform a seal between a back side 17 of facing sheet 4, and side 18 of thecorrugated sheet 3. The bead 14 will sometimes be referred to as a“winding bead” since it is typically applied, as the strip 1 is coiledinto a coiled media pack. If the media 1 is cut in strips and stacked,instead of coiled, bead 14 would be a “stacking bead.”

Referring to FIG. 1, once the media 1 is incorporated into a media pack,for example by coiling or stacking, it can be operated as follows.First, air in the direction of arrows 12, would enter open flutes 11adjacent end 9. Due to the closure at end 8, by bead 10, the air wouldpass through the media shown by arrows 13. It could then exit the mediapack, by passage through open ends 15 a of the flutes 15, adjacent end 8of the media pack. Of course operation could be conducted with air flowin the opposite direction.

In more general terms, z-filter media comprises fluted filter mediasecured to facing filter media, and configured in a media pack of flutesextending between first and second opposite flow faces. A sealantarrangement is provided within the media pack, to ensure that airentering flutes at a first upstream edge cannot exit the media pack froma downstream edge, without filtering passage through the media.

For the particular arrangement shown herein in FIG. 1, the parallelcorrugations 7 a, 7 b are generally straight completely across themedia, from edge 8 to edge 9. Straight flutes or corrugations can bedeformed or folded at selected locations, especially at ends.Modifications at flute ends for closure are generally disregarded in theabove definitions of “regular,” “curved” and “wave pattern.”

Z-filter constructions which do not utilize straight, regular curvedwave pattern corrugation (flute) shapes are known. For example in Yamadaet al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,562,825 corrugation patterns which utilizesomewhat semicircular (in cross section) inlet flutes adjacent narrowV-shaped (with curved sides) exit flutes are shown (see FIGS. 1 and 3,of U.S. Pat. No. 5,562,825). In Matsumoto, et al. U.S. Pat. No.5,049,326 circular (in cross-section) or tubular flutes defined by onesheet having half tubes attached to another sheet having half tubes,with flat regions between the resulting parallel, straight, flutes areshown, see FIG. 2 of Matsumoto '326. In Ishii, et al. U.S. Pat. No.4,925,561 (FIG. 1) flutes folded to have a rectangular cross section areshown, in which the flutes taper along their lengths. In WO 97/40918(FIG. 1), flutes or parallel corrugations which have a curved, wavepatterns (from adjacent curved convex and concave troughs) but whichtaper along their lengths (and thus are not straight) are shown. Also,in WO 97/40918 flutes which have curved wave patterns, but withdifferent sized ridges and troughs, are shown.

In general, the filter media is a relatively flexible material,typically a non-woven fibrous material (of cellulose fibers, syntheticfibers or both) often including a resin therein, sometimes treated withadditional materials. Thus, it can be conformed or configured into thevarious corrugated patterns, without unacceptable media damage. Also, itcan be readily coiled or otherwise configured for use, again withoutunacceptable media damage. Of course, it must be of a nature such thatit will maintain the required corrugated configuration, during use. Inthe corrugation process, an inelastic deformation is caused to themedia. This prevents the media from returning to its original shape.However, once the tension is released the flute or corrugations willtend to spring back, recovering only a portion of the stretch andbending that has occurred. The facing sheet is sometimes tacked to thefluted sheet, to inhibit this spring back in the corrugated sheet. Themedia of the corrugated sheet 3 facing sheet 4 or both, can be providedwith a fine fiber material on one or both sides thereof, for example inaccord with U.S. Pat. No. 6,673,136, incorporated herein by reference.

An issue with respect to z-filter constructions relates to closing ofthe individual flute ends. Typically a sealant or adhesive is provided,to accomplish the closure. As is apparent from the discussion above, intypical z-filter media especially those which use straight flutes asopposed to tapered flutes, large sealant surface areas (and volume) atboth the upstream end and the downstream end are needed. High qualityseals at these locations are critical to proper operation of the mediastructure that results. The high sealant volume and area, creates issueswith respect to this.

Still referring to FIG. 1, at 20 tack beads are shown positioned betweenthe corrugated sheet 3 and facing sheet 4, securing the two together.The tack beads can be for example, discontinuous lines of adhesive. Thetack beads can also be points in which the media sheets are weldedtogether.

From the above, it will be apparent that the corrugated sheet 3 istypically not secured continuously to the facing sheet, along thetroughs or ridges where the two adjoin. Thus, air can flow betweenadjacent inlet flutes, and alternately between the adjacent outletflutes, without passage through the media. However air which has enteredin inlet flute cannot exit from an outlet flute, without passing throughat least one sheet of media, with filtering.

Attention is now directed to FIG. 2, in which a z-filter mediaconstruction 40 utilizing a fluted (in this instance regular, curved,wave pattern corrugated) sheet 43, and a non-corrugated flat, facing,sheet 44, is depicted. The distance D1, between points 50 and 51,defines the extension of flat media 44 in region 52 underneath a givencorrugated flute 53. The length D2 of the arch-shaped media for thecorrugated flute 53, over the same distance D1 is of course larger thanD1, due to the shape of the corrugated flute 53. For a typical regularshaped media used in fluted filter applications, the linear length D2 ofthe media 53 between points 50 and 51 will generally be at least 1.2times D1. Typically, D2 would be within a range of 1.2-2.0, inclusive.One particularly convenient arrangement for air filters has aconfiguration in which D2 is about 1.25-1.35×D1. Such media has, forexample, been used commercially in Donaldson Powercore™ Z-filterarrangements. Herein the ratio D2/D1 will sometimes be characterized asthe flute/flat ratio or media draw for the corrugated media.

In the corrugated cardboard industry, various standard flutes have beendefined. For example the standard E flute, standard X flute, standard Bflute, standard C flute and standard A flute. FIG. 3, attached, incombination with Table A below provides definitions of these flutes.

Donaldson Company, Inc., (DCI) the assignee of the present disclosure,has used variations of the standard A and standard B flutes, in avariety of z-filter arrangements. These flutes are also defined in TableA and FIG. 3.

TABLE A (Flute definitions for FIG. 3) DCI A Flute: Flute/flat = 1.52:1;The Radii (R) are as follows: R1000 = .0675 inch (1.715 mm); R1001 =.0581 inch (1.476 mm); R1002 = .0575 inch (1.461 mm); R1003 = .0681 inch(1.730 mm); DCI B Flute: Flute/flat = 1.32:1; The Radii (R) are asfollows: R1004 = .0600 inch (1.524 mm); R1005 = .0520 inch (1.321 mm);R1006 = .0500 inch (1.270 mm); R1007 = .0620 inch (1.575 mm); Std. EFlute: Flute/flat = 1.24:1; The Radii (R) are as follows: R1008 = .0200inch (.508 mm); R1009 = .0300 inch (.762 mm); R1010 = .0100 inch (.254mm); R1011 = .0400 inch (1.016 mm); Std. X Flute: Flute/flat = 1.29:1;The Radii (R) are as follows: R1012 = .0250 inch (.635 mm); R1013 =.0150 inch (.381 mm); Std. B Flute: Flute/flat = 1.29:1; The Radii (R)are as follows: R1014 = .0410 inch (1.041 mm); R1015 = .0310 inch (.7874mm); R1016 = .0310 inch (.7874 mm); Std. C Flute: Flute/flat = 1.46:1;The Radii (R) are as follows: R1017 = .0720 inch (1.829 mm); R1018 =.0620 inch (1.575 mm); Std. A Flute: Flute/flat = 1.53:1; The Radii (R)are as follows: R1019 = .0720 inch (1.829 mm); R1020 = .0620 inch (1.575mm).

It is noted that alternative flute definitions such as thosecharacterized in U.S. Ser. No. 12/215,718, filed Jun. 26, 2008; and Ser.No. 12/012,785, filed Feb. 4, 2008 can be used, with air cleanerfeatures as characterized herein below.

In FIGS. 3A-3C, cross-sectional views of exemplary portions offiltration media are shown wherein the fluted sheet has one or morenon-peak ridge extending along at least a portion of the flute length.FIG. 3A shows a fluted sheet having one non-peak ridge 81 providedbetween adjacent peaks 82, 83, and FIGS. 3B and 3C show fluted sheetshaving two non-peak ridges 84, 85 between adjacent peaks 86, 87. Thenon-peak ridges 81, 84, 85 can extend along the flute length any amountincluding, for example, an amount of 20% of the flute length to 100% ofthe flute length. In addition, the fluted sheet can be provided withoutnon-peak ridges 81, 84, 85 between all adjacent peaks 82, 83, 86, 87,and can be provided with differing numbers of non-peak ridges 81, 84, 85between adjacent peaks 82, 83, 86, 87 (e.g., alternating zero, one, ortwo non-peak ridges in any arrangement). The presence of non-peak ridges81, 84, 85 can help provide more media available for filtration in agiven volume, and can help reduce stress on the fluted sheet therebyallowing for a smaller radius at the peaks and therefore reduced mediamasking Such media can be used in arrangements according to the presentdisclosure.

II. Manufacture of Coiled Media Configurations Using Fluted Media,Generally

In FIG. 4, one example of a manufacturing process for making a mediastrip (single facer) corresponding to strip 1, FIG. 1 is shown. Ingeneral, facing sheet 64 and the fluted (corrugated) sheet 66 havingflutes 68 are brought together to form a media web 69, with an adhesivebead located there between at 70. The adhesive bead 70 will form asingle facer bead 14, FIG. 1. The term “single facer bead” references asealant bead positioned between layers of a single facer; i.e., betweenthe fluted sheet and facing sheet.

An optional darting process occurs at station 71 to form center dartedsection 72 located mid-web. The z-filter media or Z-media strip 74 canbe cut or slit at 75 along the bead 70 to create two pieces 76, 77 ofz-filter media 74, each of which has an edge with a strip of sealant(single facer bead) extending between the corrugating and facing sheet.Of course, if the optional darting process is used, the edge with astrip of sealant (single facer bead) would also have a set of flutesdarted at this location. The strips or pieces 76, 77 can then be cutacross, into single facer strips for stacking, as described below inconnection with FIG. 7. Techniques for conducting a process ascharacterized with respect to FIG. 4 are described in PCT WO 04/007054,published Jan. 22, 2004.

Still in reference to FIG. 4, before the z-filter media 74 is putthrough the darting station 71 and eventually slit at 75, it must beformed. In the schematic shown in FIG. 4, this is done by passing asheet of media 92 through a pair of corrugation rollers 94, 95. In theschematic shown in FIG. 4, the sheet of media 92 is unrolled from a roll96, wound around tension rollers 98, and then passed through a nip orbite 102 between the corrugation rollers 94, 95. The corrugation rollers94, 95 have teeth 104 that will give the general desired shape of thecorrugations after the flat sheet 92 passes through the nip 102. Afterpassing through the nip 102, the sheet 92 becomes corrugated across themachine direction and is referenced at 66 as the corrugated sheet. Thecorrugated sheet 66 is then secured to facing sheet 64.

Still in reference to FIG. 4, the process also shows the facing sheet 64being routed to the darting process station 71. The facing sheet 64 isdepicted as being stored on a roll 106 and then directed to thecorrugated sheet 66 to form the Z-media 74. The corrugated sheet 66 andthe facing sheet 64 would typically be secured together by adhesive orby other means (for example by sonic welding).

Referring to FIG. 4, an adhesive line 70 is shown used to securecorrugated sheet 66 and facing sheet 64 together, as the sealant bead.Alternatively, the sealant bead for forming the facing bead could beapplied as shown as 70 a. If the sealant is applied at 70 a, it may bedesirable to put a gap in the corrugation roller 95, and possibly inboth corrugation rollers 94, 95, to accommodate the bead 70 a. Of coursethe equipment of FIG. 4 can be modified to provide for the tack beads20, if desired.

The type of corrugation provided to the corrugated media is a matter ofchoice, and will be dictated by the corrugation or corrugation teeth ofthe corrugation rollers 94, 95. One useful corrugation pattern will be aregular curved wave pattern corrugation, of straight flutes, as definedherein above. A typical regular curved wave pattern used, would be onein which the distance D2, as defined above, in a corrugated pattern isat least 1.2 times the distance D1 as defined above. In exampleapplications, typically D2=1.25-1.35×D1, although alternatives arepossible. In some instances the techniques may be applied with curvedwave patterns that are not “regular,” including, for example, ones thatdo not use straight flutes. Also, variations from the curved wavepatterns shown are possible. As described, the process shown in FIG. 4can be used to create the center darted section 72. FIG. 5 shows, incross-section, one of the flutes 68 after darting and slitting.

A fold arrangement 118 can be seen to form a darted flute 120 with fourcreases 121 a, 121 b, 121 c, and 121 d. The fold arrangement 118includes a flat first layer or portion 122 that is secured to the facingsheet 64. A second layer or portion 124 is shown pressed against thefirst layer or portion 122. The second layer or portion 124 ispreferably formed from folding opposite outer ends 126, 127 of the firstlayer or portion 122.

Still referring to FIG. 5, two of the folds or creases 121 a, 121 b willgenerally be referred to herein as “upper, inwardly directed” folds orcreases. The term “upper” in this context is meant to indicate that thecreases lie on an upper portion of the entire fold 120, when the fold120 is viewed in the orientation of FIG. 5. The term “inwardly directed”is meant to refer to the fact that the fold line or crease line of eachcrease 121 a, 121 b, is directed toward the other.

In FIG. 5, creases 121 c, 121 d, will generally be referred to herein as“lower, outwardly directed” creases. The term “lower” in this contextrefers to the fact that the creases 121 c, 121 d are not located on thetop as are creases 121 a, 121 b, in the orientation of FIG. 5. The term“outwardly directed” is meant to indicate that the fold lines of thecreases 121 c, 121 d are directed away from one another.

The terms “upper” and “lower” as used in this context are meantspecifically to refer to the fold 120, when viewed from the orientationof FIG. 5. That is, they are not meant to be otherwise indicative ofdirection when the fold 120 is oriented in an actual product for use.

Based upon these characterizations and review of FIG. 5, it can be seenthat a regular fold arrangement 118 according to FIG. 5 in thisdisclosure is one which includes at least two “upper, inwardly directed,creases.” These inwardly directed creases are unique and help provide anoverall arrangement in which the folding does not cause a significantencroachment on adjacent flutes. A third layer or portion 128 can alsobe seen pressed against the second layer or portion 124. The third layer128 is formed by folding from opposite inner ends 130, 131 of the thirdlayer 128.

Another way of viewing the fold arrangement 118 is in reference to thegeometry of alternating ridges and troughs of the corrugated sheet 66.The first layer or portion 122 is formed from an inverted ridge. Thesecond layer or portion 124 corresponds to a double peak (afterinverting the ridge) that is folded toward, and in preferredarrangements, folded against the inverted ridge.

Techniques for providing the optional dart described in connection withFIG. 5, in a preferred manner, are described in PCT WO 04/007054.Techniques for coiling the media, with application of the winding bead,are described in PCT application US 04/07927, filed Mar. 17, 2004.

Alternate approaches to darting the fluted ends closed are possible.Such approaches can involve, for example, darting which is not centeredin each flute, and rolling or folding over the various flutes. Ingeneral, darting involves folding or otherwise manipulating mediaadjacent to fluted end, to accomplish a compressed, closed state.Techniques described herein are particularly well adapted for use inmedia packs that result from a step of coiling a single sheet comprisinga corrugated sheet/facing sheet combination, i.e., a “single facer”strip.

Coiled media pack arrangements can be provided with a variety ofperipheral perimeter definitions. In this context the term “peripheral,perimeter definition” and variants thereof, is meant to refer to theoutside perimeter shape defined, looking at either the inlet end or theoutlet end of the media pack. Typical shapes are circular as describedin PCT WO 04/007054 and PCT application US 04/07927. Other useableshapes are obround, some examples of obround being oval shape. Ingeneral oval shapes have opposite curved ends attached by a pair ofopposite sides. In some oval shapes, the opposite sides are also curved.In other oval shapes, sometimes called racetrack shapes, the oppositesides are generally straight. Racetrack shapes are described for examplein PCT WO 04/007054 and PCT application US 04/07927. Another way ofdescribing the peripheral or perimeter shape is by defining theperimeter resulting from taking a cross-section through the media packin a direction orthogonal to the winding access of the coil.

Opposite flow ends or flow faces of the media pack can be provided witha variety of different definitions. In many arrangements, the ends aregenerally flat and perpendicular to one another. In other arrangements,the end faces include tapered, coiled, stepped portions which can eitherbe defined to project axially outwardly from an axial end of the sidewall of the media pack; or, to project axially inwardly from an end ofthe side wall of the media pack.

The flute seals (for example from the single facer bead, winding bead orstacking bead) can be formed from a variety of materials. In variousones of the cited and incorporated references, hot melt or polyurethaneseals are described as possible for various applications.

Reference numeral 130, FIG. 6, generally indicates a coiled media pack130. The coiled media pack 130 comprises a single strip 130 a of singlefacer material comprising a fluted sheet secured to facing sheet coiledaround a center, which can include a core, or which can be careless asillustrated. Typically, the coiling is with facing sheeting directedoutwardly. As previously described, in general a single facer bead andwinding bead would be used, to provide flute seals within the media. Theparticular coiled media pack 130 depicted comprises an oval media pack131. It is noted that the principles described herein, however, can beapplied starting with the media pack having a circular configuration.

In FIG. 7, schematically there is shown a step of forming a stackedz-filter media pack from strips of z-filter media, each strip being afluted sheet secured to a facing sheet. Referring to FIG. 7, singlefacer strip 200 is being shown added to a stack 201 of strips 202analogous to strip 200. Strip 200 can be cut from either of strips 76,77, FIG. 4. At 205, FIG. 7, application of a stacking bead 206 is shown,between each layer corresponding to a strip 200, 202 at an opposite edgefrom the single facer bead or seal. (Stacking can also be done with eachlayer being added to the bottom of the stack, as opposed to the top.)

Referring to FIG. 7, each strip 200, 202 has front and rear edges 207,208 and opposite side edges 209 a, 209 b. Inlet and outlet flutes of thecorrugated sheet/facing sheet combination comprising each strip 200, 202generally extend between the front and rear edges 207, 208, and parallelto side edges 209 a, 209 b.

Still referring to FIG. 7, in the media pack 201 being formed, oppositeflow faces are indicated at 210, 211. The selection of which one offaces 210, 211 is the inlet end face and which is the outlet end face,during filtering, is a matter of choice. In some instances the stackingbead 206 is positioned adjacent the upstream or inlet face 211; inothers the opposite is true. The flow faces 210, 211, extend betweenopposite side faces 220, 221.

The stacked media pack 201 shown being formed in FIG. 7, is sometimesreferred to herein as a “blocked” stacked media pack. The term “blocked”in this context, is an indication that the arrangement is formed to arectangular block in which all faces are 90° relative to all adjoiningwall faces. Alternate configurations are possible, as discussed below inconnection with certain of the remaining figures. For example, in someinstances the stack can be created with each strip 200 being slightlyoffset from alignment with an adjacent strip, to create a parallelogramor slanted block shape, with the inlet face and outlet face parallel toone another, but not perpendicular to upper and bottom surfaces. In someinstances, the media pack will be referenced as having a parallelogramshape in any cross-section, meaning that any two opposite side facesextend generally parallel to one another. A blocked, stacked arrangementcorresponding to FIG. 7 is described in the prior art of U.S. Pat. No.5,820,646. It is noted that a stacked arrangement shown in U.S. Ser. No.10/731,504, is a slanted stacked arrangement.

A variety of filter media having upstream and downstream flow faces arecontemplated and can be used in various implementations. Among thoseinclude a form of pleated media with flutes having defined peaks toreduce masking, such as those described in patent publication US2010/0078379, incorporated herein by reference.

III. Example Air Filter Cartridge and Dust Collector

A. Example Air Filter Cartridges, FIGS. 8-14

One embodiment of an air filter cartridge is depicted in FIG. 8generally at 320. The air filter cartridge 320 includes a media pack322. The media pack 322 can include many different types of filter mediaincluding, for example, pleated, pleated with defined peaks to reducemasking, or Z-media. In the example depicted, the media pack 322 isz-media having an upstream flow face 324 (FIG. 11) and an oppositedownstream flow face 326. In the embodiment shown, the upstream flowface 324 and the downstream flow face 326 are generally flat, planar,and parallel to each other.

The media pack 322 includes first and second opposite sides 328, 329(FIG. 11) extending between the upstream and downstream flow faces 324,326. The media pack 322 also includes third and fourth opposite sides330, 331 (FIG. 9) extending between the upstream and downstream flowfaces 324, 326. As can be seen in the embodiment of FIGS. 8-10 and asmentioned above, the upstream flow face 324 and downstream flow face 326are parallel, in this embodiment. In this embodiment, each strip 334 ofthe media pack 322 is angled relative to a horizontal surface from theupstream flow face 324 to the downstream flow face 326 at an angle of20-80 degrees, for example 30-60 degrees, and more particularly 40-50degrees.

Still in reference to FIGS. 8-11, the air filter cartridge 320 picturedincludes a first side panel 336 against the first side 328 of the mediapack 322. The first side panel 336 is typically a rigid material to helpprotect the media pack 322. It can be a rigid plastic or it can bemetal. The first side panel 336 is depicted as extending from theupstream flow face 324 to the downstream flow face 326. The first sidepanel 336 can be against the media pack 322 in a variety of ways. Forexample, the first side panel 336 can be a molded piece that is moldeddirectly onto the media pack 322; or it can be a pre-made piece that issecured with adhesive or glue. Other attachment methods can be used.

In this embodiment, the air filter cartridge 320 further includes asecond side panel 337 against the second side 329 of the media pack 322.In this embodiment, there is also a third side panel 338 against to thethird side 330 of the media pack 322, and a fourth side panel 339against the fourth side 331 of the media pack 322. The second side panel337, third side panel 338, and fourth side panel 339 each help toprotect the media pack 322. They can be pre-made pieces that are made ofa rigid material and can include a rigid plastic or metal that are thensecured by adhesive or glue; alternatively, they can be molded piecesthat are directly molded to the media pack 322. In the embodimentdepicted, each of the second side panel 337, third side panel 338, andfourth side panel 339 extend from the upstream flow face 324 to thedownstream flow face 326.

In accordance with principles of this disclosure, the air filtercartridge 320 further includes a gasket arrangement 340. The gasketarrangement 340 is to create a seal with an appropriate sealing surfacein whatever system the air filter cartridge 320 is being installed, suchthat the air to be filtered does not bypass the media pack 322.

In this embodiment, the gasket arrangement 340 includes a perimetergasket member 341 and a side gasket member 342. The perimeter gasketmember 341 is against the downstream flow face 326 and around the edgeor perimeter of the downstream flow face 326. In the embodiment shown,the perimeter gasket member 341 forms a rectangular window 343, with theopening in the window exposing the downstream flow face 326.

In this embodiment, the side gasket member 342 is adjacent to at least apartial extension of the first side panel 336. By the term “partialextension” it is meant that the side gasket member 342 may only cover apart of the first side panel 336. By the term “adjacent to,” it is meantit is next to the partial extension of the first side panel 336 at leastwhen the cartridge 320 is operably installed for use in a dustcollector. In the embodiment shown, the side gasket member 342 extends adistance of no greater than 40% of an overall length of the first sidepanel 336. In the particular embodiment shown, the side gasket member342 is against the first side panel 336. It is shown to extend adistance of at least 5% and typically 10-30% of the overall length ofthe first side panel 336.

In this embodiment, the media pack 22 includes a stack of strips 34 ofsingle facer filter media material, with each strip 34 including afluted media sheet 3 (FIG. 1) secured to a facing media sheet 4 (FIG. 1)and oriented with flutes 7 (FIG. 1) of each fluted sheet extending in adirection between the upstream and downstream flow faces 24, 26.

In the embodiment shown, the side gasket member 342 is integral with theperimeter gasket member 341. By “integral,” it is meant that the sidegasket member 342 and perimeter gasket member 341 are adjacent to eachother without a gap in between and can include two separate piecesattached or fitted together; it can also mean they are molded into onesingle unitary piece. This can be seen in FIG. 12A, such that theperimeter gasket member 341 wraps around to form the side gasket member342, joining together at intersection 344.

In preferred implementations, the side gasket member 342 includes noportion adjacent or against the second side panel 337, the third sidepanel 338, and the fourth side panel 339 (i.e., the second side panel337, third side panel 338, and fourth side panel 339 are “gasket-free”).That is, in preferred implementations, the side gasket member 342 isadjacent only to the first side panel 336.

When the side gasket member 342 is against the first side panel 336, itwill be at the same angle that the side panel 336 is relative to thedownstream flow face 326. In this embodiment, that angle will typicallybe 20-80 degrees, for example 30-60 degrees, and more particularly 45-50degrees.

The gasket arrangement 340 can be constructed of typical materials usedfor gaskets, such as polyurethane foam, urethane, rubber, silicone, andany other typical gasket material.

The gasket arrangement 340 may be secured to a remaining portion of thecartridge 320 by a variety of techniques including, for example,adhesive or by directly molding the gasket arrangement 340 onto theremaining portion of the cartridge 320.

In reference now to FIGS. 12B and 12C, an enlarged view of one useableside gasket member 342 is depicted. In the embodiment shown, the sidegasket member 342 includes a first gasket segment 301. First gasketsegment 301 has a free end 302 and an opposite first end 303. The gasket342 depicted further includes a second gasket segment 304 having a freeend 305 and an opposite second end 306. Note that the second end 306 isthe portion of the second gasket segment 304 where the straight segmentstops and a curved section begins. This can be seen in FIG. 12C.

In the example embodiment shown, both the first gasket segment 301 andthe second gasket segment 304 are straight. The second gasket segment304 is angled relative to the first gasket segment 301 at an angle ofbetween 20-70 degrees.

Intermediate gasket segment 344 joins the first end 303 of the firstgasket segment 301 and the second end 306 of the second gasket segment304. As can be seen in FIG. 12B, the first gasket segment 301, secondgasket segment 304, and intermediate gasket segment 344 together definean open filter cartridge-receiving cavity 307 constructed and arrangedto receive a remaining portion of the filter cartridge 320.

The first gasket segment 301 and the second gasket segment 304 are sizedto create an appropriate seal when operably installed. In exampleembodiments, a ratio of a length of the first gasket segment 301 to thesecond gasket segment 304 is between 1-2.5. In this case, the length ismeasured between each of the segment's respective free end 302, 305 andthe opposite end 303, 306. In one example embodiment, the ratio of thelength of the first gasket segment 301 to the second gasket segment 304is between 1.6-2.0.

Preferably, the first gasket segment 301 and second gasket segment 304each has a thickness of between 0.35-0.40 inches. Of course, there maybe variations. In one embodiment, the gasket 342 is made of acompressive material having a resistance of 3-5 psi at 25 percentcompression. One useable material is EDPM sponge. Other materials thatare useable include polyurethane, foamed polyurethane, rubber, andsilicone, just to name a few examples. Many materials are useable.

In use, the gasket 342 creates a seals by compression between the sidegasket member 342 and tubesheet 360 (FIG. 16). In particular, inpreferred embodiments, the seal is created between the outer surface 308of the first gasket segment 301 and the outer surface 309 of the firstend 303 of the first gasket segment 301. Note that in the embodimentshown, surfaces 309 and 308 are generally orthogonal or perpendicular toeach other.

In one example embodiment, the filter cartridge 320 includes at leastone handle 345 to allow for handling and manipulation of the cartridge320. In the embodiment illustrated, at least one handle 345 is secured,connected, or attached to one of the second side panel 337, third sidepanel 338, and fourth side panel 339. While a variety of embodiments arepossible, this embodiment shown includes one handle 345 secured tofourth side panel 339 and a second handle 345 secured to the third sidepanel 338 (FIG. 10). The handles 345 are shown centered on the panels338, 339. The handles 345 have a grasping ring 347, which is movablefrom against the panels 338, 339 to a position away from the panels 338,339 so that they may be grasped by 4 fingers of a typical adult sizedhand.

In reference now to FIGS. 13 and 14, another embodiment of an air filtercartridge is depicted at 320′. The air filter cartridge 320′ has thesame features as the air filter cartridge 320, with the exception of thearrangement of the side gasket member 342′. In this embodiment, the airfilter cartridge 320′ includes a gasket mounting face 346 (FIG. 14)projecting from and spaced from a remaining portion of the air filtercartridge 320′. The gasket mounting face 346 is angled relative to aplane containing the perimeter gasket member 341′. The gasket mountingface 346 supports the side gasket member 342′.

Typically, the gasket mounting face 346 will be angled from 45 degreesto −180 degrees relative to the downstream flow face 326′. Many usefulembodiments will include the gasket mounting face 346 to be angled from30 degrees to −150 degrees relative to the downstream flow face 326′. Ascan be seen in FIG. 14, the side gasket member 342′ is spaced from thefirst side panel 336′.

B. Example Dust Collector, FIGS. 15 and 16

FIGS. 15 and 16 show an example embodiment of a dust collector 350 thatutilizes filter cartridges of the type characterized above. The dustcollector 350 is used for filtering air. For example, the dust collector350 can be used for cleaning dust and other types of particulate fromthe air. In general, the dust collector 350 includes a housing 352. Thehousing 352 can be made from sheet metal or other types of rigidmaterials. The housing 352 forms an enclosure 353 with an interiorvolume 354.

The housing 352 has an unfiltered or dirty air inlet 356 and a filteredor clean air outlet 358. In general, unfiltered air enters the dustcollector 350 through the dirty air inlet 356. Air filter cartridges 320oriented within the dust collector 350 remove dust and other particulatefrom the air, and then the clean, filtered air is exhausted from thedust collector 350 through the clean air outlet 358.

The dust collector 350 further includes a tubesheet 360. The tubesheet360 functions as a wall that separates the interior volume 354 of thehousing 352 between an unfiltered air plenum 362 and a filtered airplenum 364. The tubesheet 360 has a plurality of holes or apertures 366therethrough. The apertures 366 are for allowing filtered air to flowfrom the downstream flow face 326 of the air filter cartridges 320through the tubesheet 360, into the filtered air plenum 364, and thenout through the clean air outlet 358.

The tubesheet 360 defines a sealing surface 368. The sealing surface 368is located on the side of the tubesheet 360 in the unfiltered plenum362. In the embodiment shown, the sealing surface 368 is adjacent to theapertures 366. The sealing surface 368 forms a seal 370 (FIG. 16)between and against the tubesheet 360 and the air filter cartridge 320.In particular, the seal 370 is formed between and against the sealingsurface 368 of the tubesheet 360 and the side gasket member 342 of theair filter cartridge 320.

The housing 352 further includes a frame arrangement 372. The framearrangement 372 extends from the tubesheet 360. The frame arrangement372 helps to hold and support the air filter cartridges 320 in the dustcollector 352. The frame arrangement 372 includes a surface which formsa seal with the gasket arrangement 340 of the air filter cartridge 320.In particular, a seal 382 (FIG. 16) is formed between and against theframe arrangement 372 and the perimeter gasket member 341 of the airfilter cartridge 320.

In this embodiment, the frame arrangement 372 further includes a bar 388spaced from the tubesheet 360. The bar 388 has a sealing surface thatforms a seal 391 (FIG. 16) with the perimeter gasket member 341 of thegasket arrangement 340 of the air filter cartridge 320.

In general, the bar 388 runs parallel to the tubesheet 360. The airfilter cartridges 320 are operably installed between the bar 388 and thetubesheet 360, with assistance in supporting the filter cartridges 320in place by use of the trays 374.

In the embodiment shown, the air filter cartridges 320 are installed inthe dust collector 350 in filter pairs 392. Each filter element pair 392includes first and second air filter cartridges 320 being oriented inthe housing 352 horizontally adjacent to each other and generally angledin a direction outwardly as they extend from the bar 388 to thetubesheet 360. As can be seen in FIG. 16, the bar 388 is located betweeneach air filter cartridge 320 in the filter pair 392. As can also beseen in FIG. 16, the air gap or volume 406 between the respectivedownstream sides 326 of the two air filter cartridges 320 increases asthe distance increases from the bar 388 to the tubesheet 360. This formsa type of V-filter arrangement.

The dust collector 350 further includes a reverse pulse cleaningarrangement 396. The reverse pulse cleaning arrangement 396 isconstructed and arranged to emit a pulse of air from the filtered airplenum 364, through the downstream flow faces 326 of each of the airfilter cartridges 320. By pulsing air from the clean air side throughthe downstream flow faces 326, dust and other debris clogging theupstream flow faces 324 of the air filter cartridges 320 are dislodgedand knocked loose from the air filter cartridge 320. From there, thedust and debris falls by gravity into a dust collection hopper 398located below the arrangement of cartridges 320. The reverse pulsecleaning arrangement 396 includes, preferably, at least one nozzle 400for each aperture 366 in the tubesheet 360. The nozzles 400 are in airflow communication with a manifold 402, which is connected to a sourceof pressurized air. The reverse pulse cleaning arrangement 396periodically sends a pulse air through the manifold 402 to the nozzles400. The pulse of air leaves each nozzle 402 and flows through theapertures 366. From there, the air flows in a reverse direction throughthe normal direction of air flow through the air filter cartridges 320.

In the preferred embodiment shown, each of the apertures 366 includes aventuri 404 to help direct the pulse of air from the nozzle 400 throughthe apertures 366, and into the volume 406 (FIG. 16) between thedownstream flow faces 326 of opposing filter cartridges 320 in eachfilter element pair 392. The venturi 404 circumscribes each respectiveaperture 366 and helps to ensure that the air pulse is evenly directedinto the volume 406.

The dust collector 350 further includes a guide ramp 408. The guide ramp408 projects from the tubesheet 360 and is adjacent to the tubesheetsealing surface 368. The ramp 408 is constructed and arranged to orienteach of the air filter cartridges 320 in sealing engagement against thetubesheet sealing surface 368. As can be seen in FIG. 15, the ramp 408is angled from the tubesheet 360, in a direction that is generallynon-coplanar and non-orthogonally with respect to the tubesheet 360. Inpractice, as each filter cartridge 320 is installed in the dustcollector housing 352, the end of the air filter cartridge 320 nearestto the tubesheet 360 engages the ramp 408. The ramp 408 helps to slideand guide the air filter cartridge 320 into place with the side gasketmember 342 engaging and abutting against the sealing surface 368 of thetubesheet 360. In the embodiment shown, there are a pair of guide ramps408, one guide ramp 408 for each side of the filter pairs 392. That is,there is one guide ramp 408 on lateral sides of the tubesheet 360 withthe apertures 366 between the ramps 408.

The dust collector 350 further includes a clamp arrangement 410. Theclamp arrangement 410 is for operably securing the filter element pairs392 in sealing engagement with the tubesheet 360 and the framearrangement 372.

It should be understood how each air filter cartridge 320 operably fitswithin the housing 352. The end of the air filter cartridge 320 willengage the guide ramp 408, which will help to guide and direct thecartridge 320 into sealing engagement against the tubesheet 360. Theside gasket member 342 will engage against the sealing surface 368 ofthe tubesheet 360. At the same time, the perimeter gasket member 341will engage against the sealing surface of the frame arrangement 372 andthe sealing surface of the bar 388. The clamp arrangement 410 will beoriented over the ends of a filter element pair 392 and engaged, pushingthe filter element pair 392 against the tubesheet 360. This helps toform the seal 370, 382, and 391.

In use, dirty air is directed through the dirty air inlet 356 into theunfiltered air plenum 362 of the housing 352. The dirty air is thendirected through the upstream flow faces 324 of the media pack 322 of afirst air filter cartridge 320. In this embodiment, the dirty air wouldbe directed through the upstream flow face 324 of each filter elementpair 392. Dirty air is prevented from bypassing the air filter cartridge320 by the perimeter gasket member 341 and the side gasket member 342,which both form seals 382, 370 with the housing 352. During use, the airfilter cartridges 320 will be periodically back flushed of dust anddebris by pulsing of the reverse pulse cleaning arrangement 396. Thiswill send jets of air through the downstream flow face 326 and throughthe upstream flow face 324. This will help to knock built up dust anddebris from the media pack 322. This dust and debris will fall bygravity into the hopper 398.

After a period of use, the air filter cartridges will need replacement.Each air filter cartridge 320 of each filter element pair 392 is removedfrom the housing 352. The old filter cartridge 320 is recycled,incinerated, or otherwise discarded. A new filter cartridge 320 is thenprovided and installed.

The above provides examples of principles of the invention. Manyembodiments can be made using these principles. It is noted that not allthe specific features described herein need to be incorporated in anarrangement for the arrangement to have some selected advantageaccording to the present disclosure.

I claim:
 1. An air filter cartridge comprising: (a) a media pack havingupstream and downstream opposite flow faces and first and secondopposite sides extending between the upstream and downstream oppositeflow faces; (i) the media pack comprising a stack of strips of singlefacer filter media material, each strip including a fluted media sheetsecured to a facing media sheet and oriented with flutes of each flutedsheet extending in a direction between the upstream and downstream flowfaces; (ii) the upstream flow face and downstream flow face beingparallel, and each strip of the media pack being angled relative to ahorizontal surface from the upstream flow face to the downstream flowface at an angle of 20-80 degrees; (b) a first side panel against thefirst side of the media pack; and (c) a gasket arrangement including:(i) a perimeter gasket member against the downstream flow face andaround a perimeter of the downstream flow face; and (ii) a side gasketmember, integral with the perimeter gasket member, and adjacent to atleast a partial extension of the first side panel.
 2. The air filtercartridge of claim 1 wherein: (a) the media pack further includes thirdand fourth opposite sides extending between the upstream and downstreamopposite flow faces; and (b) the air filter cartridge further includes:(i) a second side panel against the second side of the media pack; (ii)a third side panel against the third side of the media pack; and (iii) afourth side panel against the fourth side of the media pack.
 3. The airfilter cartridge of claim 2 wherein: (a) the side gasket member includesno portion against the second, third, and fourth side panel.
 4. The airfilter cartridge of claim 1 wherein: (a) the side gasket member extendsagainst the first side panel from the downstream flow face a distance nogreater than 40% of an overall length of the first side panel.
 5. Theair filter cartridge of claim 1 further including: (a) a gasket mountingface projecting from and spaced from a remaining portion of the airfilter cartridge; the gasket mounting face being angled to a plane ofthe perimeter gasket member; (i) the gasket mounting face supporting theside gasket member.
 6. The air filter cartridge of claim 5 wherein: (a)the gasket mounting face is angled from 45 degrees to −180 degreesrelative to the downstream flow face.
 7. The air filter cartridge ofclaim 2 further comprising: (a) a handle secured to at least one of thefirst, second, third, and fourth side panels.
 8. A method of filteringair using the air filter cartridge of claim 1; the method comprising:(a) directing dirty air into an unfiltered air plenum of a housing; thehousing having a tubesheet, and a frame arrangement; (i) the tubesheetseparating the housing between the unfiltered air plenum and a filteredair plenum; the tubesheet having a plurality of apertures therethrough;the tubesheet having a sealing surface; (ii) the frame arrangementextending from the tubesheet; and (b) directing the dirty air throughthe upstream flow face of the air filter cartridge; (i) the perimetergasket member being compressed against the frame arrangement; and (ii)the side gasket member being compressed against the tubesheet sealingsurface.
 9. An air filter cartridge comprising: (a) a media pack havingupstream and downstream opposite flow faces, first and second oppositesides extending between the upstream and downstream opposite flow faces,and third and fourth opposite sides extending between the upstream anddownstream opposite flow faces; (b) a first side panel against the firstside of the media pack; (c) a second side panel against the second sideof the media pack; (d) a third side panel against the third side of themedia pack; (e) a fourth side panel against the fourth side of the mediapack; and (f) a gasket arrangement including: (i) a perimeter gasketmember against the downstream flow face and around a perimeter of thedownstream flow face; and (ii) a side gasket member, integral with theperimeter gasket member, and adjacent to at least a partial extension ofthe first side panel; the side gasket member including no portionagainst the second, third, and fourth side panel.
 10. The air filtercartridge of claim 9 wherein: (a) the side gasket member extends againstthe first side panel from the downstream flow face a distance no greaterthan 40% of an overall length of the first side panel.
 11. The airfilter cartridge of claim 9 wherein: (a) the media pack comprises astack of strips of single facer filter media material, each stripincluding a fluted media sheet secured to a facing media sheet andoriented with flutes of each fluted sheet extending in a directionbetween the upstream and downstream flow faces.
 12. The air filtercartridge of claim 9 further comprising: (a) a handle secured to atleast one of the first, second, third, and fourth side panels.
 13. Amethod of filtering air using the air filter cartridge of claim 9; themethod comprising: (a) directing dirty air into an unfiltered air plenumof a housing; the housing having a tubesheet, and a frame arrangement;(i) the tubesheet separating the housing between the unfiltered airplenum and a filtered air plenum; the tubesheet having a plurality ofapertures therethrough; the tubesheet having a sealing surface; (ii) theframe arrangement extending from the tubesheet; and (b) directing thedirty air through the upstream flow face of the air filter cartridge;(i) the perimeter gasket member being compressed against the framearrangement; and (ii) the side gasket member being compressed againstthe tubesheet sealing surface.
 14. An air filter cartridge comprising:(a) a media pack having upstream and downstream opposite flow faces andfirst and second opposite sides extending between the upstream anddownstream opposite flow faces; (b) a first side panel against the firstside of the media pack; and (c) a gasket arrangement including: (i) aperimeter gasket member against the downstream flow face and around aperimeter of the downstream flow face; (ii) a side gasket member,integral with the perimeter gasket member, and adjacent to at least apartial extension of the first side panel; and (d) a gasket mountingface projecting from and spaced from a remaining portion of the airfilter cartridge; the gasket mounting face being angled to a plane ofthe perimeter gasket member; (i) the gasket mounting face supporting theside gasket member.
 15. The air filter cartridge of claim 14 wherein:(a) the media pack further includes third and fourth opposite sidesextending between the upstream and downstream opposite flow faces; and(b) the air filter cartridge further includes: (i) a second side panelagainst the second side of the media pack; (ii) a third side panelagainst the third side of the media pack; and (iii) a fourth side panelagainst the fourth side of the media pack.
 16. The air filter cartridgeof claim 15 wherein: (a) the side gasket member includes no portionagainst the second, third, and fourth side panel.
 17. The air filtercartridge of claim 15 wherein: (a) the media pack comprises a stack ofstrips of single facer filter media material, each strip including afluted media sheet secured to a facing media sheet and oriented withflutes of each fluted sheet extending in a direction between theupstream and downstream flow faces.
 18. The air filter cartridge ofclaim 17 wherein: (a) the upstream flow face and downstream flow faceare parallel, and each strip of the media pack is angled relative to ahorizontal surface from the upstream flow face to the downstream flowface at an angle of 20-80 degrees.
 19. The air filter cartridge of claim14 wherein: (a) the gasket mounting face is angled from 45 degrees to−180 degrees relative to the downstream flow face.
 20. The air filtercartridge of claim 15 further comprising: (a) a handle secured to atleast one of the first, second, third, and fourth side panels.
 21. Amethod of filtering air using the air filter cartridge of claim 14; themethod comprising: (a) directing dirty air into an unfiltered air plenumof a housing; the housing having a tubesheet, and a frame arrangement;(i) the tubesheet separating the housing between the unfiltered airplenum and a filtered air plenum; the tubesheet having a plurality ofapertures therethrough; the tubesheet having a sealing surface; (ii) theframe arrangement extending from the tubesheet; and (b) directing thedirty air through the upstream flow face of the air filter cartridge;(i) the perimeter gasket member being compressed against the framearrangement; and (ii) the side gasket member being compressed againstthe tubesheet sealing surface.